Outside Lands Preview: Top Five Must-See Bands

When Outside Lands returns to Golden Gate Park in San Francisco on Aug. 28-30, the second-year festival will continue to build on its foundation as a crossbreed of Bonnaroo and Coachella. Localized elements at the fest will include wine tasting and vaudeville, two things Northern California knows a thing or two about. As for the bands, this year's edition will be anchored by Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band, and Tenacious D, but with multiple stages running staggered sets constantly over three days, it's easy to see a lot but also to miss a lot. That said, here are five bands you should go out of your way to catch.

Blind Pilot

Festivals are supposed to be marathons, not sprints. Shortly past kick-off on Friday, Blind Pilot will be the perfect band to help you ease on into things. Not that they should be taken lightly by any means, but singer/guitarist Israel Nebeker's melodies sometimes feel lighter than air. If his hushed confessionals aren't exactly a work-out on the dance floor, this set will still be like doing warm-ups for the soul.

Blind Pilot's 'Free MP3 of the Day'

The National

Remember when Paste Magazine called 'Boxer' the album of the year? That was just two years ago but it somehow seems like a vague memory. The National haven't been resting on their laurels since then, however, and while they haven't released a proper album since then either, they do have some new songs that they've introduced on the club level at select East Coast gigs. Outside Lands will be the best chance for the West Coast to get reacquainted with the National and for the National to introduce a festival-sized audience to songs from what could very well be a future album of the year.

The National on the Interface
The Dead Weather

It's hard to go wrong with Jack White. All of his projects have proven to be festival attractions in the past, but we're not basing Dead Weather's recommendation on White's track record alone. Nor are we merely adding up the collective accolades of his newest band, which includes members of the Kills, the Raconteurs and Queen of the Stone Age. The Dead Weather came out kicking and screaming this summer, pouring piss and vinegar on top of their new car smell via their debut album 'Horehound.' That album's highlight, 'Cut Like a Buffalo' may have been the summer jam on your iPod, but just wait till this band cuts like the actual buffalo that roam literally just yards away from where they'll play live in the field at Outside Lands.

M.I.A.

When M.I.A. filled in for Amy Winehouse at Coachella this past spring, she told Spinner that she didn't quite feel ready to leave the dance tent for the main stage. But now that she has that experience under her wing, we're expecting a few new tricks up her sleeve for Outside Lands. Having fired her manager to take control of her own career, she wouldn't have accepted the offer to play in Golden Gate Park if she didn't intend to turn the field into a dance party, tent or no tent.

Raphael Saadiq

Born just miles away from Outside Lands in Oakland, Raphael Saadiq has come a long way since his days in Tony! Toni! Tone! Currently enjoying a comeback of sorts, the R&B producer/songwriter/singer has gone forward by looking back, bringing a retro sense of class and a classic sense of style to his soul and dance routine. For an example of what we're talking about, just check out his videos for the songs '100 Yard Dash' and 'Let's Take a Walk,' both of which he's sure to play in the park. After catching the crowd off guard at Bonnaroo in June, there is no doubt that Saadiq is ready to host a homecoming dance in the Bay Area for Outside Lands.

Raphael Saadiq on 'The Bridge'